Oviedo is the ideal city for a perfect escape, and it has everything you can imagine: a beautiful, well-preserved old town, museums, theatres and other really interesting cultural spaces, places to savour the delicious Asturian cuisine, shops for browsing and making some nice purchases, markets, a cider boulevard, a wine route, traditional cafés and confectioners, green routes and spaces for strolling and relaxing, and urban spas.
And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s surrounded by charming villages, spa resorts, Pre-Romanesque art, golf courses, riding clubs, green paths and more.
In fact, you’ll find everything you could possibly wish for in and around Oviedo.
A delightful Old Town
Oviedo is one of those welcoming, stress-free cities with an Old Town that’s well worth a visit. It’s very well preserved and it’s a clear testimony to the origins of the city, through to the present day. The city was of great importance in the Early Middle Ages, when it was the capital of the Kingdom of Asturias and home to the court of King Alfonso II of Asturias,, the creator of El Camino de Santiago, or St. James’s Way.
So one of the most customary sights is that of the pilgrims coming to visit the Cathedral of El Salvador, giving the city a multicultural and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
The Cathedral of El Salvador is one of the city’s most impressive buildings, with its Holy Chamber, its Garden of the Kings, its pilgrims’ cemetery and its Romanesque tower. And right next to the cathedral stands the church of San Tirso el Real, thought to have been built at the request of King Alfonso II in the 9th century. Only the upper part of the apse wall with a three-light window remains of its ancient Pre-Romanesque structure.
But there are many other buildings of interest, both civil and religious, in styles ranging from medieval, renaissance and baroque to contemporary. And, of course, there are plenty of restaurants and small shops, etc., giving the area a vibrant atmosphere.
You could, in fact, say that Oviedo’s Old Town never sleeps, as it’s full of life both day and night.
The world capital of Pre-Romanesque art
Oviedo could, without doubt, be described as the world capital of Asturian Pre-Romanesque Art, as various parts of the city and its surrounding areas are home to most of the Pre-Romanesque monuments that have survived until the present day, and which were declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1985.
The Holy Chamber of the Cathedral, the churches of Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo (both on the slopes of Mount Naranco), the Foncalada fountain (the only surviving example of a civil construction in Spain intended for public use in the Early Middle Ages and which is still in use today), and the church of San Julián de los Prados are just some examples of this Pre-Romanesque Art in the Asturian capital.
A city steeped in culture
Oviedo’s identity stands out for its culture. It can be found in its museums, such as the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, both housing important collections and legacies, as well as in its theatres, such as the Campoamor and the Filarmónica, as well as in its Auditorio Príncipe Felipe.
It can also be seen in its exhibition halls and its Congress Centre, and in its numerous multi-purpose spaces, which are always holding exciting and interesting events.
In short, Oviedo lives and breathes culture.
Oviedo, the Spanish Capital of Gastronomy in 2024
Oviedo is a gastronomic city par excellence. In fact, its qualities in this area have resulted in it being awarded the title of Spanish Capital of Gastronomy for 2024. The city is deserving of such recognition due to it “being the standard bearer of Asturian cuisine, a cuisine that wins you over”. Dishes such as fabada (bean stew), cachopo (a veal, cheese and ham dish) or its unrivalled cheese varieties and excellent shellfish. “Oviedo seduces the nation’s palate” said the jury who awarded this distinction.
Oviedo is also a city with a very sweet tooth, as it’s widely known for its traditional sweets and pastries, with unique creations such as its carbayones (puff pastry delights with almond cream) and moscovitas (chocolate and almond biscuits).
As you stroll through the centre of Oviedo, you’ll soon come across renowned traditional confectioners, where you can buy something sweet to enjoy as you go along, or to eat there and then, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. And some of the bakeries are so old and so well preserved that they make great photo opportunities to remember your visit by, as is the case with Camilo de Blas and its famous carbayones, or with Rialto and its moscovitas.
It’s also a place where the cafés always have a great atmosphere and where “having a coffee” is a deeply rooted custom for building friendships, socialising and relaxing. So it’s easy to find these pleasant places in the centre of this friendly city.
In general, Oviedo’s cuisine is plentiful, varied and of good quality. Lunch spots, long-established bars, cafés, restaurants, cider houses, etc.; a whole range of places to suit all tastes and pockets.
In Oviedo you can take a tour of different culinary routes, from traditional dishes to the most cutting edge and innovative cuisine, and from Asturian cooking to different trends and dishes from around the world.
The Cider Boulevard, not to be missed!
The Cider Boulevard is on Calle Gascona, one of the city’s oldest streets, which is now pedestrianised and over 20 years ago became an iconic place for enjoying the cider culture of Asturias.
This vibrant, bustling area houses numerous restaurants, bars and cider houses where you can try a wide range of traditional Asturian dishes, always nicely balanced with cider.
Watching the still cider being poured or enjoying a delicious fabada, a cachopo, an Asturian cheese board and much more besides, is an unforgettable experience, in a warm and lively setting at any time of the day.
The Wine Route, an attractive leisure option
Oviedo’s Wine Route consists of four central streets: Campoamor, Manuel Pedregal, Río San Pedro and Fray Ceferino. These streets are full of small bars and restaurants where you can try traditional Asturian cuisine, as well as international fare and signature dishes. So there’s something for all tastes.
The area is always full of life, where you can have a few glasses of wine, some beers, have lunch, dinner or a cocktail or two, enjoying the city’s nightlife.
An ideal place for shopping
In Oviedo there’s a wide range of shopping options: from the large shopping centres to the boutique stores and traditional markets.
The city has some well-known shopping streets such as Calle Uría and its surrounding area, with a great selection of shops selling clothes, accessories, etc. There are also the pedestrianised streets in the Old Town, as well as some specialist shops that are popular with locals and visitors alike.
One of the nicest and most typical places to have a look around and to go shopping is El Fontán market, where you can buy garden products on Thursdays, and where it’s bustling every day as there are lots of shops around where you can buy all kinds of Asturian items. On Sundays there’s a flea market.
In the area of El Fontán you’ll find the covered food market, with its stalls of meat, fish, different varieties of Asturian cheese, fruit, etc. An historic building full of character.
A green city
Oviedo is a green city. It has numerous walking and cycling routes on the outskirts, as well as many green spaces throughout the city itself, the most iconic being – right in the heart of the city – the Campo San Francisco park.
There are also urban spas, pleasant terraces, etc. where you can switch off completely, in an ever-friendly environment.
So, this and much more besides, makes Oviedo the perfect getaway destination!
